Bleeding Clutch

Has anyone had previous difficulty bleeding the clutch system on an X1/9?

Most of my components are new - master and slave cylinders, slave hose, slave release spring and a 3-piece clutch. My lines are wholly un-corroded and like new.

My clutch pedal pressure was virtually non-existent so I thought I'd bleed the system to clear any air that might be trapped. I took all the normal measures such as ensuring the reservoir was filled and a tube and bottle on the bleed nipple to prevent air entering at that point. On bleeding, fluid did come from the slave cylinder but only very slowly i.e. oozing as opposed to a reassuring squirt/blast and no air came out, just fluid.

Now there's no pedal pressure at all and however much I try to bleed the system, it won't build pressure. I don't think there's a leak anywhere as the reservoir level is only dropping at the rate associated with the aforementioned ooze at the slave cylinder. The master cylinder is showing no sign of leaking or compromise.

Just a thought. The master and slave cylinders on an X1/9 are about the same height as each other and I was wondering if jacking up the rear of the car might assist any stubborn air trapped to travel towards the slave cylinder and out of the system when bled?

Any other comments or tips would be appreciated.

Frustrating!!

It's always worth using a pressure bleeder, even one of the relatively cheap ones from Halfords, which take pressure from a tyre, produce enough force to push any air through that might be there.
If as you say everything is new, then the dribble of fluid IS probably due to air in the system, taking up the pedal pressure.
Hope you get it sorted.

Ooze shouldn't be there. Is the clutch reservoir still have liquid in? it sounds like it needs a flush. Water could have been in the fluid. I use silicon fluid in my car that is not hygroscopic but a good flush with dot 4 would help.
When I did mine I found that when air was in the system holding the peddle down for a while helped squeeze more fluid out as air is compressible.
Two people are better for the job if possible. A nice brass bleed nipple for the slave cylinder is good.

pressure bleeders are good but not the gunston one I tried, it just shot dot 4 all over the paintwork, very hard to get a good seal on the reservoir.

Agree with David's comments. 2 people are better for doing this job. It is worth working the clutch peddle to try and move on any air pockets that may be lurking there.
However, I have found that by wedging the slave cylinder open it releases air pockets at that end and you then get resistance in the pedal.
This has worked on a number of occasions for me.

Good luck

Andy

Very simple fix. Grab a 13mm brake spanner on the feed for the clutch master cylinder and bleed it from there first. Makes the world of difference

Thanks everyone, lots of good suggestions. I tried your suggestion Rob (full of hope) but it made no difference.

So I shall get it pressure bled. The local garage has just bought one so I'll be taking it down there next week. I wish them luck!!

Hi Mike, so on the master cylinder end - (the clutch pipe outlet) do you just get fluid coming out - no crackle of air when you bleed it?

I had the slave and master cylinders replaced last year. It did take a long time and many presses of the clutch pedal to get a good fountain of fluid out of the bleed nipple.